[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Baytril Octic for inner ear infections

[Ann Evans]

Dear ME,
Once again you have come through with a treasure trove of information 
about treating inner ear infections by telling me that you have used 
Baytril Octic along with Septrim.  I have made up my own Baytril Octic 
when the vet could not get it in quickly and the cavy had discharge into 
the ear canal. (One of the advantages of being a pharmaceutical 
scientist is being able to compound medication faster than a compounding 
vet pharmacy.)  I too have often continued Pediatric Septrin out to 21 
days depending on the how the cavy is responding. I have also treated 
ear infections with Baytril 10 mg PO q12h for 7-21 days along with the 
Rimadyl. The concentration of Rimadyl I use is 10 mg PO q12h for 2 days 
then 5 mg PO q12h for the remainder of the antibiotic treatment. If 
there is still head tilt I will continue Rimadyl for an additional 7 
days. I always make sure that the cavy is syringe fed 40 ml of Critical 
Care Mash along with an additional 40 ml of water over 16 hours. I may 
also give instead of water all of the time some diluted Ribena 
blackcurrant juice or Pedialyte. As I mentioned before, all of my cavies 
are rescues.

As I said my interest is this subject but also in general about any 
treatment of cavies is academic. Too many vets just follow what an 
exotic animal formulary says and they miss the whole picture. 
Formularies never tell you what the outcome of a particular treatment is 
or that there may be more than one type of medication that you can use 
or needs to be used. Therefor, all the elements of treatment are not 
being presented such as the need also for anti-inflammatories and good 
nutrition. Both Baytril and Septrim can form crystals in the urine. If a 
cavy is not getting enough fluids entire kidney stones can be form from 
the metabolites of these antibiotics. Also, antibiotics alone will not 
cure a cavy if it is not getting enough  nutrition. I volunteer at a 
vet's office and see all of his cavy patients. I am developing treatment 
sheets that detail what the vet needs to do and what the owner needs to 
do to try to ensure the best outcome for the cavy. I know that the best 
Vets are cavy owners and they have a wealth of information that needs to 
be shared. I sincerely appreciate you once again sharing your 
experiences with me.

Thank you, Ann Evans and the rescued Piggys of Piggyville Tampa Florida USA